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Editors' Review

AVG's Anti-Virus and Internet Security line follows on the heel of last year's highly-ranked security suite by not merely incorporating some minor but key tweaks to both its front-end and back-end, but a stronger push toward personal data management and privacy utilities that help prevent uninvited access to your files. Though many threats still exist, security programs as they stand now start to encompass areas of privacy utilities. Whereas the majority of threats were once external viruses trying to force their way into your machines, nowadays malware focus more on tricking users to inadvertently open doors for hijacking.

Version 2013 was AVG's first push toward adopting and remixing the Modern UI movement. Not just a response to competitors, the Modern UI movement represents an overall push toward creating a more streamlined security experience. For the average consumer, what your anti-virus and anti-malware programs do to protect your computer have followed a set it and forget it mentality.

Balancing along the fine line of being both approachable yet empowering is a key goal of not just AVG but also just about any utility software developer: Modern UI has the visual appeal, but does it evoke control and the sense of security over all the software's power features?

In our last review, we commended AVG's decision to reduce the installation steps. It still contains a toolbar offer, and despite the universal hatred toward being fooled into installing yet another browser helper object, AVG's toolbar actually does include useful security options like Do Not Track. Again it's a tradeoff but if you really wanted DNT's features, then there's a standalone version available for free on Firefox and Chrome in their respective extension stores.

By now, almost every major security software maker has more or less adopted the flat, Modern UI look and AVG has kept its own visuals mostly intact. The main screen is decorated with AVG's primary areas of protection that include your computer, browsing the Web, Identity protection features, e-mail protection, and extras that populate the second row if you opt to purchase the premium or Internet Security suites. It's the same as last year's design, but still a radical departure from the old AVG that's appreciated, yet still may take some getting used to for the more hands-on user. Thankfully, all it's older scan settings are still neatly tucked under the options, though they aren't nearly as touch-friendly.

All visual and organizational improvements aside, AVG 2014 (along with many other security suites we've seen) have more or less been continuing to dress a Windows 7 application without completely assimilating into the actual Modern UI environment, wholeheartedly. I can understand this context under the stance that there are still many who don't face a real urgency to upgrade to Windows 8. But if you're moving toward minimal input and maintenance for running a security program in the background, then perhaps Modern UI might be better suited in the long run.

For example, the options menu is still very much geared toward the mouse user, so having a meet-halfway kind of design slightly disrupts the overall experience of maintaining and protecting your machine with the touch of your fingers.

Two notable additions to AVG Internet Security are File Shredder and Data Safe. File Shredder is a more permanent solution to deleting files and reducing any potential digital trails for recovery. By default, Windows doesn't actually delete files, even after clearing the Recycle Bin, with the exception of overly-large file sizes. For the average user, this might not seem like much but in the era of privacy concerns, it's a welcome feature that will slowly start to become more relevant to the average consumer.

Even Data Safe, AVG's own folder encryption, helps you create what is essentially a secured pseudo-partition in a native location that can only be unlocked with a password. It's a practical precaution for those who share their computers with others and wish to avoid having to create separate profiles.

AV-Test results for 2014 are currently not published, but the 2013 marks for Internet Security showed a slight drop in protection, going down from a 5.5 rating out of 6 to 5.0. Performance remained standard at 3.5 but usability shot up significantly from 4.5 to 5.5 out of 6. AV-Comparatives gave 2013 a 1.1 percent compromise rate in their real-world protection test in their July report. Overall, AVG has maintained a relatively consistent level of security, which is above average, but the gains in usability combined with reduced system load, makes this version one of the most lightweight protection solutions for your PC.

To call this version the best AVG yet is a no-brainer; AVG's security efficacy, though not the best, still remains consistently high scoring among AV evaluations across the board. And though detection rates have improved, the biggest strides for this year's version have been made in the areas of privacy tools that are genuinely useful. As for whether it's the "best" security program around, that may depend on your current needs. AVG's emphasis on privacy tools and reputation ranking attempts to combat malware through educating and empowering users, at least slightly, with tools that remain easy to use yet encourage users to actively manage their PC files. We especially recommend this year's suite for those who actively share their machine with other users.

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Publisher's Description

AVG continues to deliver advanced antivirus protection with the launch of AVG Internet Security 2015. It goes beyond simply detecting and removing viruses on your PC by blocking infected links as you browse, checking files before they're downloaded, and helping protect your personal data online and on your PC with enhanced privacy features. With 2015, we've improved our core engine and its accuracy, and included a new cloud-based detection method. And because we know that security is just as important as usability, Internet Security 2015 features a revamped, easier-to-use design.

We've been hard at work optimizing our core engine to increase its detection accuracy. That includes better detection of screen-locker ransomware and improved scanning of all downloadable files to keep you safe from an exponentially expanding pool of threats.

And when a new online threat breaks out and spreads, the key to keeping you protected is the speed with which we can react. Our new Outbreak Detection gives us the tools to act immediately and curtail their spread. With Internet Security 2015, you don't have to wait until the next virus-definition package is ready to be protected: the moment we know a threat's there, you're covered.

Finally, we believe security should be clean and simple to be effective, and we've put a lot of work in making sure Internet Security 2015 is intuitive to use. Our new simplified design makes sure you know what needs your attention at a glance. Combined with our free comprehensive online support, you can be sure you're getting our best protection.

it take 5 minutes for my pc to reduce from 100% cpu usage to 2%
high cpu whe updating
slow when deleting crack file
slow install and uninstall
not protect you from web (with 2 year during i were using it, avg had never bolck any site or domain)

>After installation and system restart causes blue screen crashes on one of my latops

Summary

Works well on two of my windows 7 laptops but inexplicably after installation crashes my third laptop causing blue screen of death. The problem was so bad windows could not remedy it and I had to reinstall windows. I tried a second time and same problem (just to be sure was AVG). I have since resintalled windows on the laptop with a competing anit virus product with no issues whatsoever.

Since version 2013, they removed the import/export feature meaning we can no longer backup firewall/antivirus rules/settings. AVG installer clears all settings without warning!!

Summary

AVG staff claim they're now going for a fully automated firewall -- in other words they're now targeting novice users with very low expectations.
If you want to create detailed firewall rules or specify which applications can/cannot access the internet, you'll have to painstakingly re-enter each and every rule every time you update the software (eg. from an earlier 2014 release to the latest 2014 release or from version 2014 to 2015).
No import/export feature plus the flushing of your settings on update -- I'm tempted to label their software as malicious.
I've been using AVG since the Grisoft days (v6.0) and my honest recommendation is for you to stay away from them unless you're not going to change (m)any settings.

I believe the reason the backup & reload security settings feature was removed was because it can be hijacked and become a security vulnerability in itself. If a piece of malware activates that part of the code to load a file's settings, and the malware provides its own "settings" to, for example, authorize your firewall to hit its servers, you could have a potential problem on your hands. Maybe it was removed in light of an anti-virus program being the last place you want any possible security vulnerability. The thinking goes, if the user has to re-input the security settings every time, then they're getting what they want.

I installed this junk on 3 very different machines: one was a laptop running Windows 7, another was a touchpad/laptop running Windows 8, and the third was a PC running Windows XP. Interestingly enough, all 3 machines had the same problem after the install of AVG 2013: it was impossible to get on the internet by any means - we tried dialup, high speed DSL, and wireless: none of them worked! - AVG 2013 is SO good at protecting your machine it won't even allow you online. Unfortunately for AVG that doesn't work for most people. Don't get us wrong, we're not some of those people who are working for AVG's competitors who are going around and slamming AVG for whatever reason. We used to be AVG's biggest fans. Nevertheless, a problem so big and vexing that AVG 2013 destroys 3 machines across 3 very different platforms (all 3 machines had to have their operating systems wiped and reinstalled in order to work normally again) is just too much even for AVG's biggest fans!Try Microsoft Security Essentials. We were very skeptical about MSE because it is made by Microsoft but it beats AVG 2013 in 2 major categories: it works and its install doesn't require you to wipe and reinstall your operating system - a major hassle!Go with MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials). I had my doubts about MSE and I was using it as a stand-in for AVG until they cleaned up their big steaming mess which never happened. Although it's from Microsoft it's free (bloat ware free too!) and it WORKS!

The download is a rather large file, but once downloaded, installation is easy to undertake even in Custom mode. Activating the product was automatic and quick. The first computer scan (which the user is prompted to undertake) was also not overly slow.

Cons

The biggest drawback is the lack of any good explanation as to what each optional item translates to. I am an experienced software user and customizer, and know that each company defines things differently. Not having common definitions makes this task more difficult than it needs to be.

Summary

I have been an Avast user for many, many years. I reluctantly gave up on them when they pushed a faulty Emergency Update onto users and then refused to answer any questions when the Update proved defective. At last count there were 6 pages of comments from people since yesterday, demanding an explanation.

I only hope that AVG's protection is at least as good as Avast's has been. So I reserve judgment for now, noting the ease of installation, quick first scan, and the plethora of options (even if they aren't well explained).

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